THE CHRISTIAN This Is Your

Promise!
Eye hath not seen, nor

MESSENGER ear heard, neither have

entered into the heart of
man, the things which
God hath prepared for
7TH YEAR OF PUBLISHING INDIA’S EVANGELICAL NEWSPAPER them that love him.
Evangelism Through
Journalism Phone: 044-65145334 | Email: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Vol. 7, No. 3 JULY, 2010 Price: Rs.2/-
Afghan Christians plead for
help after execution call
A group of
Afghan Christians
living in exile in
India have issued
an ‘urgent’ plea to
the international
community to
help Christians
still living in
Afghanistan
following the
recent call for their execution by a government
minister.
The letter was issued in June by a community of
150 Afghan converts now living as refugees in New
Delhi because of the threat to their lives in
Afghanistan.
In the letter they urge Christians around the world
to speak out against the ‘egregious injustices’ and
‘blatant human rights violations’ taking place against
Christians in Afghanistan.
“We left our country because we were sentenced
to death on account of our Christian faith …
Christians are called pagans and infidels and are
sentenced to death by the Afghan Government.
Death penalty is awaiting all those who want to leave
the darkness and come to true light, repent from their
sins, and put their faith on Lord Jesus Christ,” they
wrote.
Detailed story on Page 3
 THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com REGIONAL Page 2 | July, 2010

Pray for a people group! THE CHRISTIAN

“Give thanks to the BUSINESSMEN MESSENGER
Lord, call on His Name;
make known among the
nations what He has
FELLOWSHIP INDIA Advertisement Tariff
Per column centimeter: Rs. 50/-
done.” Psalm 105:1 Chennai Chapter (A unit of Businessmen Fellowship International) Book space now for
Tigre: The Tigre are August, 2010 issue
traditionally nomadic
shepherds who live in Call 0-98840 63345 /
Eritrea and northeastern
Sudan. They are 91-44-65145334
distinguished from other
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regional peoples by the
fact that they possess hereditary slaves. Most of the @gmail.com
Tigre converted to Islam during the 1800s,
influenced by Muslim Arabs.
Cordially invites you with For Correspondence
Although the Tigre profess to be Sunni Muslims,
most of them practice ‘folk Islam’, which is a blend
Date:
your spouse and other 329/4, Poonga Apartments,
of Islam and ethnic beliefs. Their traditional beliefs
include animal sacrifices and rain-making rituals. 16th July business friends for a 2nd Avenue, Anna Nagar,
Sacrifices of livestock or corn are offered whenever Chennai 600 040.
they think their sins are numerous. The Tigre also 2010, Friday fellowship dinner meeting to Working hours: 10 am to 5 pm,
believe in an evil spirit named Zar, who possesses
people and causes accidents, illnesses, and 7.15 pm share the vision that God has Monday to Saturday
sometimes death. The people depend on shamans given Christian businessmen The purpose of the newspaper
s
(priests) to cure the sick, communicate with the
le across the world.
sin o n r

spirits, and control events. is to report newsworthy religious

Bu tim aye

cip
es ies

Prayer Points: events and activities within the

rin
r
Te f p

Venue: Hotel Savera,

* Pray for God to grant His favor and wisdom to local community, nationwide and
sp
o

missions targeting the Tigre. around the world, to increase the

e

Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai,
awareness and activism of
s
tim

* Ask the Lord to call additional long-term

workers to live and work among them. believers regarding the moral
A

issues of today, to provide

* Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect
the few known Tigre Christians in Eritrea. Mylapore, Chennai. thought-provoking commentary,
and to provide an effective
* Pray that the Lord will give these converts
boldness to share Jesus with their own people. advertising vehicle for Christian

tion fee :
* Pray for the Holy Spirit to anoint the Gospel as it ministries and organisations,
g is t r a events and businesses that want to
goes forth via the ‘Jesus’ film among the Tigre.
Re B uffet) reach the Christian community. -
* Take authority over the spiritual principalities
i n g
(inclu - per head.
d Editor
and powers that are keeping these precious people
bound. /
* Ask God to call forth prayer teams who will Rs.750 (Readers are advised to make
thorough enquiries before acting on
begin breaking up the soil through intercession. any advertisements. This newspaper
* Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches RSVP - Montgomery: 97907 88159, Anand Manohar: 98400 64273 does not necessarily agree to the
among the Tigre of Eritrea. claims or representations made by
Email: monty4jc@gmail.com, anandmanohar@hotmail.com any advertiser.)
(Source: Bethany World Prayer Centre)
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 3 | July, 2010
A Father’s Day retrospective on submission and headship Afghan Christians face a bleak future!
BY JOHN PIPER
LAST Sunday’s message was
on the meaning of submission in
marriage. I did not have time for
this closing illustration. So
consider this an application at the
end of that message. The point is
that my mother’s submissive role
in relation to my father was not
owing to lesser competencies. It
was owing to the God-given nature
of manhood and womanhood and
how they are designed in marriage
to display the covenant
relationship between Christ and
the church.
I grew up in a home where my
father was away for about two-
thirds of each year. He was an
evangelist. He held about twenty-
five crusades each year ranging in
length from one to three weeks. He
would leave on Saturday, be gone
for one to three weeks, and come
home on Monday afternoon. I
went to the Greenville airport
hundreds of times. And some of
the sweetest memories of my
childhood are the smile of my
father’s face as he came out of the
plane and down the steps and
almost ran across the runway to
hug me and kiss me (no skyways in
those days).
This meant that my sister and I
were reared and trained mostly by
my mother. She taught me almost
everything practical that I know.
She taught me how to cut the grass
without skippers and keep a
checkbook and ride a bike and
drive a car and make notes for a
speech and set the table with the
fork in the right place and make
pancakes (notice when the bubbles
form on the edges). She paid the
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bills, handled repairs, cleaned
house, cooked meals, helped me
with my homework, took us to
church, led us in devotions. She
was superintendent of the
Intermediate Department at
church, head of the community
garden club, and tireless doer of
good for others.
She was incredibly strong in her
loneliness. The early sixties were
the days in Greenville, SC, when
civil rights were in the air. The
church took a vote one Wednesday
night on a resolution not to allow
black people to worship in the
church.
When the vote was taken, she
stood, as I recall, entirely alone in
opposition. And when my sister
was married in the church in 1963
and one of the ushers tried to seat
some black friends of our family
all alone in the balcony, my mother
indignantly marched out of the
sanctuary and sat them herself on
the main floor with everyone else.
I have never known anyone
quite like Ruth Piper. She seemed
to me omni-competent and
overflowing with love and energy.
But here is my point. When my
father came home, my mother had
the extraordinary ability and
biblical wisdom and humility to
honor him as the head of the home.
She was, in the best sense of the
word, submissive to him. It was an
amazing thing to watch week after
week as my father came and went.
He went, and my mother ruled the
whole house with a firm and
competent and loving hand. And
he came, and my mother deferred
to his leadership.
Now that he was home, he is the
MUSIC FEST
“POWER PRAISE”
NEWS & VIEWS
one who prayed at the meals. Now
it was he that led in devotions.
Now it was he that drove us to
worship, and watched over us in
the pew, and answered our
questions. My fear of
disobedience shifted from my
mother's wrath to my father’s, for
there, too, he took the lead.
But I never heard my father
attack my mother or put her down
in any way. They sang together
and laughed together and put their
heads together to bring each other
up-to-date on the state of the
family. It was a gift of God that I
could never begin to pay for or
earn.
And here is what I learned — a
biblical truth before I knew it was
in the Bible. There is no
correlation between submission
and incompetence. There is such a
thing as masculine leadership that
does not demean a wife. There is
such thing as submission that is
not weak or mindless or
manipulative.
It never entered my mind until I
began to hear feminist rhetoric in
the late sixties that this beautiful
design in my home was somehow
owing to anyone’s inferiority. It
wasn't. It was owing to this: My
mother and my father put their
hope in God and believed that
obedience to his word would
create the best of all possible
families — and it did. So I exhort
you with all my heart, consider
these things with great
seriousness, and do not let the
world squeeze you into its mold.
* This article was originally
published in the June 15th, 2007
edition of ‘Crosswalk Pastors’.
FEATURING
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& STEPS on fire
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E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
THE group of Afghan firm and vocal stand against the
Christians living in exile in New severe and devastating wrongs
being committed against them by
Delhi have appealed to the
their own government,” they said.
international community to help
The execution call came just
believers still living in
days after two Christian aid groups
Afghanistan after a government
were suspended after authorities
minister demanded that they be
accused them of proselytizing.
executed for converting to
Church World Service and
Christianity.
Norwegian Church Aid cannot
They have written a letter in
operate while authorities
response to the riots and
investigate the claim. Both
demonstrations that broke out in
ministries deny any wrongdoing.
Afghanistan in June, after an
independent TV channel Noorin
CHRIST
TV aired a documentary revealing
the names and faces of supposed
Afghan Christian converts. CALL DRIVER
Recently, protesters called on LO
H RY CA
President Hamid Karzai to arrest 5T RSA 24 L &
-HR OU
and execute the converts and the IVE S S TS
N ER TAT
deputy secretary of the Afghan AN A.K.RAJ VIC ION
E
Parliament’s Lower House, Abdul
Sattar Khawasi, made his own call 9841543317
for the execution of Christian
converts from Islam. 9710128887
The group goes on to say that No. 76/2, Nedunzhelian Street,
they have received reports of M.G.R. Nagar, Chennai - 600 078.
Afghan Christians being arrested
and having their homes and
For Christian
businesses searched in recent
weeks. There have also been
reports that authorities are Counselling and for
torturing arrested Christians to prayer for healing
force them to reveal the names of
other Christian converts and the and deliverance:
location of underground churches
and fellowships.
“In light of all these events, and Please contact
the perplexing media silence on
Mr Satyarthi Sahu
these atrocities occurring in plain
view of the international and Mrs Sarah Sahu
community, we are pleading with
the Body of Christ around the at 044-26150605 or
world to support our Afghan email:satyarthisarah
Christian brothers and sisters
during this critical time by taking a @gmail.com
PRIZE
DRAW

E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com
July 1: Thank God for bringing
us into a new month. Because of
the Lord’s great love we are not
consumed, for His compassions
never fail. They are new every
morning; great is His faithfulness
(Lamentations 3:21-23).
July 2: According to an
estimate, one woman is raped in
India every 30 minutes. Commit
those women you know into the
Lord’s hands. Ask Lord Jesus to
cover them with His blood.
July 3: Pray for your church.
Pray for the pastor, the worship
leaders or the choir, the Sunday
school teachers and the ushers.
Pray that the Lord will add new
believers to the church as it
happened in Acts 2:47.
July 4: Pray for Sam, who is
heeding the calling in his life. This
young man, an engineering
graduate, will shortly be in the
Philippines to seek admission into
a Bible college. Pray that the Lord
keeps him under His wings.
July 5: Pray for your pastor.
That God will give him more grace
(James 4:6), spiritual revelation
through the Holy Spirit (John
14:26), anointing (Isaiah 10:27)
and holiness (1 Peter 1:15,16).
July 6: Pray for 25-year-old JT.
A juvenile diabetic patient, the
young man is underweight and has
bouts of vomiting and stomach
pain. Doctors have stated there’s
no medical remedy. Claim Isaiah
53:5 for him.
July 7: Pray for SJ. The 48-
year-old man working abroad is
addicted liquor. Pray that our Lord
who makes all things new (Rev.
21:5), turns him also into a new
creature in Christ according to his
Word found in 2 Corinthians 5:17.
July 8: Pray for KB. This
widow is fighting a court case over
her land in Kerala. An envious
neighbor is intent on creating a
pathway through her land even
though he has an approach road to
his field. Pray to the One who sits
on the throne judging in
righteousness (Psalm 9:4).
July 9: Pray for all married
couples that you know. We need to
pray that they will uphold
Christian principles in their
relationship with their spouses,
others and their children.
July 10: Pray for THE
CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
media ministry. We intend to bring
out faith-building Christian
literature in English, Hindi and
Tamil among other languages.
Pray for more volunteers who can
help us in news gathering,
translation work, distribution of
literature.
July 11: Pray for Joemon today.
This 28-year-old man is in
Chennai looking for a job. He
recently walked out of a Catholic
seminary after nearly 8 years of
studies and training to become a
priest. Pray that the Lord of Hosts
will touch him and help him see the
path ahead.
July 12: Pray for Pakistan
today. The country is reeling under
attacks by the Taliban. Weak
leadership, insurgency and poor
economy in addition to the Taliban
threat is threatening to turn the
country into a failed nation.
July 13: Pray for the following
people who need a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ: TB
and his fiancé, KB, ST, AP,
Mohan, Jerin, JM and Mohan.
July 14: It’s time to pray for the
missionaries and ministries that
you know. Pray that God will meet
their needs and provide for them.
July 15: Pray for all the children
you know especially those in your
family, in your neighborhood,
those of your friends, colleagues
and acquaintances.
July 16: Prayer for JK. A retired
bank employee, his heart’s desire
is to build his own house on a piece
of land. He has been claiming a
promise given to him by God that
he will indeed build his own house.
Pray that God opens doors for him
this year.
July 17: Pray that the
instructions of our God through
Ephesians 5:22-33 concerning
marriage is followed in every
Christian home. Let believing
Christian couples be the role
models for our children. Pray that
Christian couples impact their
children’s lives positively and are
able to point to the Lord Jesus.
July 18: Pray for BI and her
family. Her daughter has passed
out of 12th standard with good
marks. She now hopes she would
get an engineering seat in Anna
University through counseling.
Pray also that the family members
accept the Lord as their savior this
year and experience peace and
prosperity.
July 19: Powris are aboriginal
tribes living in Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Their estimated population is 45
lakh. The Powris who believe their
god is Bahwan fear death. By
nature, they are rebellious and
wild. Pray for the missionaries
working among this people group.
Pray for this people’s salvation.
July 20: Pray for The Christian
Messenger’s founders – Robin
Sam and Elsy Robin, their children
and their family. May God
continue to make them shine for
Jesus.
July 21: According to a Child
Rights and You (CRY) study, India
is home to the largest number of
child laborers in the world. An
estimated 17 million children are
employed in some form of work or
the other. Eighty-five percent of
these children work in
unorganized sector, while 19%
work as domestic help. Pray for
their deliverance.
July 22: Pray for all those who
are looking for a divine
intervention or a financial
breakthrough. That the Lord who
sends rain in its due season will
continue to provide for their
financial needs.
July 23: Pray for anyone who
may be mentally tormented or at
loggerheads with their family
members.
July 24: Pray for India’s peace
with her neighbors especially
China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Sri Lanka.
July 25: Pray for peace in West
Bengal in the backdrop of the
recent Maoists’ unrest in some
districts of the State. Pray that
these outfits, now banned by the
Union Govt, will see sense in
integrating into the mainstream
society.
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
INTERCESSION Page 4 | July, 2010
Gratefulness - the underrated
spiritual secret!
BY ELLEN VAUGHN us!” Jesus’ heart moves for them.
July 26: Pray for all those who MY husband and a few friends He tells them to go show
need physical healing and comfort were in Cuba some time ago. themselves to the local priest.
today. You can write down the Together with local believers, they Off they go. Faltering but
names that you remember and visited homes in small villages. hopeful.
pray for them earnestly. They were welcomed in by And as they are going, the
July 27: Well-paying jobs curious Cubans. Over and over, Scriptures say, they are healed.
continue to be rare. Pray for all Lee and his team told the ‘bad The 10 stumble along the road,
those around you who work hard news, good news’ story of Jesus. ragged robes flapping. Bystanders
for a living. Commit those who are (The bad news is that we have all scurry away as they see the lepers
looking for a job in to God’s hands. sinned. The good news is that coming. As the men hurry, the dirty
July 28: If there are any Jesus paid the penalty for sin.) rags fall from their faces. I can
families that you know that grieve The Holy Spirit moved in imagine what happened next.
the loss of their loved ones, hundreds of Cubans’ lives. In one “Hiram!” shouts one. “Your
commit them into the Lord's hands rural village, a young man who nose!”
today. had just given his life to Christ “What do you mean, my nose?”
July 29: Pray for Bro. Walter went out into the unpaved road in says Hiram, bustling along.
and his family today - for front of his house, waving his arms “You’ve got one!”
prosperity in his business and and yelling to his neighbors. “Aaugghghh!”
abundant peace in the family. ‘Venido aqui’ ‘Come here!’ he Piling to a stop, slamming into
July 30: Pray for NS today. shouted. ‘Tengo buenas noticias’ one another like clowns at the
Pray that God gives her grace ‘I’ve got good news!’ ‘Usted ti circus, they stare at each other’s
when she comes down from Saudi tiene que oir esto!’ ‘You’ve got to faces, mouths wide open. They
Arabia to India next month to pack hear this!’ unwind the rags from their hands,
up from Chennai and leave for In America, we tend to tell our shouting because they have fingers
Kerala. neighbors how thankful we are if again. They leap into the air; they
July 31: Harvard University we get a great deal on deck land, sure-footed. They strip off
has created an endowed furniture or find a big sale on gas their bonds and clap their arms
professorship in lesbian, gay, grills. We would do well to strip around each other’s shoulders,
bisexual and transsexual studies. A off our sophistication, remember laughing with joy. They can’t wait
first of its kind in the US, this in thanks our own rescue, and get to find their families. They sprint
reflects a rise in sex-related back to the really good news like toward town.
academia in that country. Pray for our brother in Cuba—or that first- But one whirls and turns in the
homosexuals and lesbians you century leper whom Jesus healed. other direction, back toward Jesus.
know. Jesus Christ can change In Jesus’ day, leprosy and other He runs fast with his new feet.
them! skin diseases were cause for Weeping, he falls and kisses Jesus’
terrible fear and shame. Lepers perfect ones. “Thank you!” he
A Prayer Request were ostracized and could return sobs. Thank you. Thank you.
to their community only if a priest Ten were rescued, cleansed,
Join with us, praying for declared them fit. Old Testament given a brand-new beginning. Yet
the Salvation of Children law held that a person “with such nine ran the wrong way. Only one
(up to 18 years) @ 10 pm an infectious disease must wear ran for home base, where Jesus
every night. You can pray torn clothes, let his hair be was.
unkempt, cover the lower part of Friends of ours have a family
where ever you are - just his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! mantra. “Be the one!” they tell
for 5 minutes each night. Unclean!’ As long as he has the their kids and each other.
email: olive@vsnl.com infection he remains unclean. He “Be the one who thanks Jesus.
must live alone; he must live Let others go where they may. You
And I will establish my outside the camp” (Lev. 13:45- be the one who is grateful.”
46). Be the one!
covenant between me and One day about two thousand Being thankful is not rocket
thee and thy seed after thee in years ago, Jesus is on the road science. Though the topic of
their generations for an when 10 tattered lepers call to him gratitude goes as deep as the grace
everlasting covenant, to be a from afar. They dare not draw of God, it does not require tough
God unto thee, and to thy nearer. biblical exegesis or advanced
seed after thee. Genesis 17:7. “Jesus, Master, have pity on degrees to practice. It just requires
obedience.
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Page 5 | July, 2010 PROMOTIONS E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com

Is that your home?

A teacher from primary school
asks her students to write an essay
about what they would like God to
do for them... At the end of the day,
What’s God’s message to us when
while marking the essays, she read
one that made her very emotional.
Her husband, who had just walked
in, saw her crying and asked her:
times are bad and paths difficult?
“What happened?”
She answered: “Read this. It is
one of my students’ essays.”
‘Oh God, tonight I ask you
something very special:
Make me into a television. I
Agnes Amos, author of
want to take its place and live like
the TV in my house. ‘THE JOURNEY
Have my own special place, and
have my family around ME. OF A
To be taken seriously when I
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attention and be heard without
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JOB SEEKER’
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discovered it in her life.
Have the company of my dad
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even when he is tired.
And I want my mom to want me
when she is sad and upset, instead
of ignoring me...
And... I want my brothers to
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leaves everything aside, every THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
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all happy and entertain them... Padi, Chennai 50. Ph: 044-65145334.
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July 1: God said to him, “Your
name is Jacob, but you will no
longer be called Jacob; your name
will be Israel. So He named him
Israel. Genesis 35:10.
How did Jacob (the one who
deceives) become Israel (the one
who struggles with God)? You
could say perhaps it was God's
divine plan. Yes, perhaps. But God
is looking for people who will
heed His voice to fulfill His divine
plan. Jacob's transformation to
Israel came when he obeyed God.
In the beginning of the chapter, we
see God asking Jacob to go to
Bethel and build an altar there.
Jacob not only obeyed
immediately but he also asked his
clan to get rid of all the foreign
gods in their midst. Even today,
blessings follow those who obey
God and sanctify themselves.
Perhaps, you think you are a
wastrel, a no-good person.
Perhaps, people may have a bad
opinion about you. However,
remember God knows you
personally. He wants to give you a
new name along with innumerable
blessings. Are you ready to obey
him and sanctify yourself? Bible
reading: Ruth 1, Is 1-2, 1 Thess 1.
July 2: Jehoram was thirty-two
years old when he became king,
and he reigned in Jerusalem eight
years. He passed away, to no one's
regret, and was buried in the City
of David, but not in the tombs of
the kings. 2 Chronicles 21:20.
As the eldest son of
Jehoshaphat, Jehoram had a
natural claim to his father's throne
in Judah but he was not definitely
the worthiest or the brightest
among his siblings whom he killed
to fortify his position. Did God
turn a blind eye to this? No, He
kept this cruel massacre in mind.
He made prophet Elijah list it out
among the other evil things that
Jehoram did. Our holy God cannot
and will not tolerate sins in His
children's lives. One of the reasons
why Jehoram did evil in the eyes of
the Lord was the company he kept.
Make no mistake about it. Bad
company will not edify you, it will
only serve to pull you down.
Jehoram was afflicted with a
grievous disease; his neighbors
turned against him and died a
death that was unsung,
uncelebrated and his life was
unrepented for. Bible reading:
Ruth 2, Is 3, 1 Thess 2.
July 3: Know therefore that
God exacts from you less than
your iniquity deserves. Job 11:6.
Eliphas, Bildad and Zophar, the
Bible says, made an appointment
together to come and mourn with
Job, and to comfort him. Lofty aim
alright but unfortunately when it
came to executing it, things went
awry. Their one intent was to find
what went wrong with Job and
help him set it right. They
presumed that was the only way
Job could redeem his previous
position. However, their approach
was hostile, attitude fault-finding
and their words were scathing. A
sharp tongue is a weapon. It only
serves to cut not heal! If you
possess a sharp tongue and a fault-
finding attitude, be doubly sure
that you do not have the fruit of the
Spirit yet (Gal 5:22-23). How did
God treat Job’s comforters? He
dismissed them and their
patronizing speeches. If only they
empathized with Job and
DEVOTIONALS
THE WORD TODAY
(Daily Devotionals for July, 2010)
attempted to see themselves in July 7: …they tried to go into
Job’s position, their attitude could Bithynia, but the Spirit did not
have been different. Bible permit them. Acts 16:7.
reading: Ruth 3, Is 4, 1 Thess 3. Have you heard no from God to
any question that you raised? Has
July 4: So teach us to number the Spirit forbid you from doing
our days, that we may gain a heart something in your ministry? If so,
of wisdom. Psalm 90:12. what has been your reaction?
Psalm 90 is a solemn prayer of Have you, like a rebellious child,
Moses, the man of God. He knew protested against God’s response?
what it was to count on God. His Or have you humbly waited at His
dependence on God gave him an feet to hear the next command?
eternal perspective. He knew Paul and Silas faced a series of
human life will be over like a sigh. negative responses from God in
That’s why he says in verse 14, ‘Oh their mission in Asia. First, they
satisfy us early with your mercy, were forbidden to preach the word
that we may rejoice and be glad all in Asia, then when they tried to go
our days.’ To know God early in to Bithynia, the Spirit did not
our lives is a blessed experience. allow them. However, they did not
God appeared in the burning bush consider it to be the end of their
to Moses when he was 40. Till missionary lives. When they
then, his life was directionless. He waited in the Lord, they heard a
had no clue what was in store for cry of help from Macedonia and
him. If you are a parent, teach this went over to preach the gospel
psalm to your children that they there. God does not shut one door
may know it is best to trust in God before He opens another. Bible
right from a young age. Even reading: 1 Sam 3, Is 8-10, 2 Thess
today, God is looking for people 2.
who will submit to Him willingly.
He will establish the work of their July 8: For if we believe that
hands (verse 17). Bible reading: Jesus died and rose again, even so
Ruth 4, Is 5, 1 Thess 4. God will bring with Him those
who sleep in Jesus. 1
July 5: Declare His glory Thessalonians 4:14.
among the nations, His wonders For the next few days, we will
among all peoples. Psalm 96:3. meditate on overcoming grief at
Only a child of God who has the death of our beloved ones.
tasted His grace and guidance in Though the word is not mentioned
his life will yearn to talk about Him anywhere in the Bible, we know
to others. If we truly live by faith this coming of Jesus as ‘rapture’.
and walk according to the Word, Besides the great assurance that
we can witness miracles and we will be with Him in the
wonders in our own lives. Such a twinkling of an eye, the other great
blessing should not be contained. comfort of rapture is that our
It should be proclaimed, says the beloved ones who left us on the
psalmist. Only we serve the Living earth will also be with Him in His
God. ‘For all the gods of the glorious appearance. Will all our
peoples are idols,’ the psalmist loved ones be with Him? No, only
says. The Great Commission is to those who lived for Him and slept
those who have been redeemed by in Him (verse 14). Though the
His grace. The power of Jesus death of our loved ones causes a
Christ’s blood that saved us has not void in our lives, the Bible says we
diminished today that it cannot ought not to sorrow as others who
save those around us. As believers, have no hope (verse 13). Unlike
it is our duty to tell them Jesus is others who do not know believe in
coming to judge the earth and salvation, we have a great hope:
salvation is found in no other that we will see our loved ones
name. Let the heavens rejoice, and with Jesus. Bible reading: 1 Sam
let the earth be glad. Bible 4, Is 11-12, 2 Thess 3.
reading: 1 Sam 1, Is 6, Thess 5.
July 9: ..they came there also
July 6: Then many of the people and stirred up the crowds. Acts
of the land became Jews, because 17:13.
fear of the Jews fell upon them. After the imprisonment and
Esther 8:17. subsequent release at Philippi,
The Jews had honor and joy Paul and Silas traveled to
when one of them was lifted up by Thessalonica. They stayed there
the king of the land. Till then, a for three weeks and did preached
despised nation the Jews would the good news. Though resistant to
have been annihilated by Haman’s the Gospel, a great multitude of
wicked plan if not for a divine devout Greeks became Christians.
intervention that was triggered by A f t e r t h e r e v i v a l c a m e
some earnest prayers. What caused persecution. Soon, Paul and Silas
the fear of the Jews upon King had to get out of Thessalonica to
Ahasuerus’ people? When the reach Berea. When Jesus was
whole country knew the Jews were preached, many Bereans believed,
destined to perish, there was a but then trouble followed them
turnaround in the scheme of there, too. Paul was helped by his
things. They knew such reversal of friends to get out of Berea to go to
royal plans does not happen Athens. Don’t believe anyone who
without the working of a powerful says Christian life is a bed of roses.
hand. This fear not only caused It is full of troubles, but then Jesus
them to be in awe of the Jews; they words in John 16:33 should
wanted to be counted as one comfort and encourage us.
among them. Do our lives have Through Him, we can face hostile
such powerful impact on those crowds and opposing situations.
around us? Does they way we live Bible reading: 1 Sam 5, Is 13-14,
our lives instill the fear of God in 1 Tim 1, 1-10.
them? Bible reading: 1 Sam 2, Is
7, 2 Thess 1. July 10: ‘Do not be afraid, but
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 6 | July, 2010
July 13: ‘Speak to all the
congregation of the children of
Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall
be holy, for I the Lord our God am
holy.’ Leviticus 19:2.
speak, and do not keep silent.’ It is not difficult to see why
Acts 18:9. Christianity is seen as a hard way
Do you know we serve a God to tread on. Ill-informed people
who listens to our prayers and think it is all about a set of dos and
groanings? Paul and Silas were don’ts. However, once you know
having a hard time in their mission that you have been bought by the
trip. They had faced prison, blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews
endured hunger, beatings and 9:12) and brought near to God’s
public condemnation. Did God presence (Ephesians 2:13), it is not
stand aloof and let them sort out difficult to understand the higher
their problems? No, He spoke to calling of a Christian. The
Paul in the night by a vision. Paul standard of Christian living is
was encouraged by the vision quite high as our yardstick is not
where God asked him to be not determined by any man but by God
afraid but speak and not keep Himself. In Ephesians 1:4, Paul
silent. Our God fills courage was moved by the Holy Spirit to
where there is none, gives us say why we need to be holy. ‘…He
words when our tongue is tied and chose us in Him before the
helps us praise and glorify Him foundation of the world, that we
even in adverse conditions. What a should be holy and without blame
great God we serve! Bible before Him in love…’ Has it sunk
reading: 1 Sam 6, Is 15-16, 1 Tim in yet? Even before He created the
1, 11-20. world, He chose you and me so
that we will be holy and without
July 11: Then she said to her blame when we appear before the
mistress, “If only my master were His great white throne (Rev.
with the prophet who is in 20:11). Bible reading: 1 Sam 9, Is
Samaria! For he would heal him of 21-22, 1 Tim 4.
his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3.
A young Israelite girl who had July 14: Do not be deceived,
been captured by the Syrians in a God is not mocked; for whatever a
raid was the maid of Naaman’s man sows, that he will also reap.
wife. Naaman, the commander of Galatians 6:7.
the Syrian army, was a man known Why did it take Israelites 40
for his conquests and courage but years to reach the promised land?
sadly he had a physical ailment, The people of God were choosy in
too. He was a leper. The Israelite following His Word. They chose to
girl, who waited on his wife, knew do those commandments that
his physical condition. She knew appeared easy and convenient and
her master, too. Do you know your ignored those that looked hard to
master, Jesus Christ? Do you follow. Only two out of all those
proclaim about Him to those who came out of Egypt, Caleb and
around you – your bosses, co- Joshua, were allowed enter
workers, neighbors, friends and Canaan. Why did God favor these
family? When the girl told her two men? Moses says in Numbers
mistress about her master, the way 32:12 ‘for they wholly followed
for a miracle had already been the Lord.’ When you follow Lord
paved. Why did Naaman and his Jesus Christ, He expects total
wife act on the young girl’s commitment from you – a half-
advice? I think because she had a hearted or sulking approach to
good testimony. That’s the power obedience is disapproved. What is
of holy living. Your life is the only our level of obedience? Are we
piece of scripture that some people making attempts to listen to the
will ever get to read. Show your still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) or
Master through your life. Bible are we throttling it completely?
reading: 1 Sam 7, Is 17-18, 1 Tim Remember what His Word says
2. today: God is not mocked:
Whatever we sow is what we will
July 12: Let the words of my reap. Bible reading: 1 Sam 10, Is
mouth and the meditation of my 23-24, 1 Tim 5.
heart be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my July 15: The memory of the
redeemer. Psalm 19:14. righteous is blessed. Proverbs
How is it possible for us to live a 10:7.
life holy and acceptable to the The Bible does not endorse
Lord? Romans 12:1 & 2 have the celebrating the death anniversary
answer. If we live a life that is of people, however spectacular
conformed to this world, then it is their lives had been. The early
difficult that our lives will be holy. church did not resort to making
Paul calls us to be transformed by saints out of martyrs. When
the renewing of our mind so that Stephen died a martyr’s death after
we may prove what is that good he was stoned by people opposed
and acceptable and perfect will of to the Gospel being proclaimed
God. Remember, he is not saying (Acts 8:2), the Bible says devout
we may know what is the perfect men buried him and mourned his
will of God. The word he uses is death. However, they did not
‘prove’. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says earmark a day or date to celebrate
our sanctification is the will of his death anniversary. In fact, the
God. 1 Peter 1:2 talks about Bible explicitly asks us to
believers having the sanctification remember Jesus at the holy
of the Spirit. Sanctification is not communion (1 Corinthians
just of the physical as is mentioned 11:24,25). By that, we recall the
in Thessalonians but also being price that our Lord paid for our
approved of by the Holy Spirit. redemption. Bible reading: 1 Sam
Subjecting every thought into 11, Is 25-26, 1 Tim 6.
captivity to the obedience of
Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) is the July 16: ‘Come aside by
way to fight the battle against the yourselves to a deserted place and
devil. Bible reading: 1 Sam 8, Is rest a while.’ Mark 6:31.
19-20, 1 Tim 3. In Mark 6, we see Jesus sending
THE CHRISTIAN MESSENGER
Page 7 | July, 2010 DEVOTIONALS E-mail: christianmessenger.in@gmail.com

out His disciples to minister to the have given Me; for You loved Me is claimed, were descendants of The Spirit of God spoke to in Him at all, the body of Christ
people. They went out two by two. before the foundation of the some Syrians who had come down Philip and asked him to take the can get a glimpse of the exceeding
They stepped out on a journey of world.’ John 17:24. along with Apostle Thomas for road that goes from Jerusalem to greatness of His power towards us.
faith. They were given power of What do we do when death proselytizing native Indians. The Gaza. When Philip reached Gaza, The moment you and I were saved,
unclean spirits. Their primary task, removes those who once lived with Bible does not say those who are he saw an Ethiopian eunuch sitting our sins were washed clean and we
however, was to preach the Gospel us? Do we become inconsolable at born Christians will see the in his chariot and reading Isaiah. became new creatures. Only Jesus
(verse 12). Casting out devils and their passing that we lose all hope kingdom of God. Tradition, Why did God send Philip to the can forgive us of our sins. God the
healing the sick followed the in life? While grieving the death of heritage and great lineage can get Ethiopian? He knew the eunuch Father’s power was revealed when
message of repentance. In the our loved ones is a natural process us nowhere near the kingdom of needed help in understanding the He raised His only Son from the
meantime, something dreadful toward healing, we ought to view it God. Jesus told Nicodemus one scripture passage he was reading. dead and set Him on His throne.
happened. John the Baptist was from the Lord’s perspective. Look had to be born again to see the Was Philip’s job only to explain He will raise us also likewise and
beheaded by king Herod. The at Jesus’ prayer in this verse. Take kingdom of God. Is a born again the passage and come away? No, make us co-heirs along with Jesus,
news of John’s death must have courage, all is not lost. Your loved experience enough? No, look at when he understood the passage His Son. Bible reading: 1 Sam 25,
coincided with the disciples’ one has gone to be with the Lord, verse 5 in John 3. “Most assuredly, and heard the gospel message from Is 51-54, Heb 7-8.
return from their first independent and that’s just according to His I say to you, unless one is born of Philip, the eunuch did not thank
missionary trip. While they had will. They have gone to be with water and the Spirit, he cannot the latter and go his way. Note his July 29: ‘And when he had
reason to exult over their Him where He is now. Why? enter the kingdom of God.” Why question: ‘What hinders me from come into the house, the blind men
ministry’s success, they were also Because, it’s Jesus’ desire that they did Jesus have to clarify it any being baptized?’ Wasn’t belief in came to him, and Jesus said to
taken through the valley of shadow see His glory that God the Father further He did not have baptism by Jesus Christ enough? Obsviously them, ‘Do you believe that I am
of death. Are you going through a has given Him. When our loved water in His mind. Dear friend, not, otherwise Philip, who was led able to do this?’ They said to him,
similar valley experience in your ones go to visit the royalty or some whether you are a born Christian by the Holy Spirit, would have told Yes, Lord.’ Matthew 9:28.
life or ministry? Jesus is asking big celebrity, do we cry over it? or a born again Christian, you need him so. Philip’s answer was one of Matthew 8 is a passage full of
you to come apart and rest for a Never, on the contrary we wish we to be baptized and walk in the affirmation. Yes, dear reader miracles. Jesus healed a paralytic,
while. He will comfort you like no were with them too. Such a desire Spirit to enter God’s kingdom. baptism is an open proclamation to raised a dead girl to life, healed a
one else can. Bible reading: 1 should make us live a holy life. For Bible reading: 1 Sam 18, Is 39- the world about your faith in Jesus bleeding woman, made a mute
Sam 12, Is 27-28, 2 Tim 1. without holiness no one will see 40, Phile 1. Christ. Will you be bold enough to man speak and gave vision to two
God (Hebrews 12:14).Bible display your faith? Bible reading: blind men. The blind men must
July 17: For whoever is reading: 1 Sam 15, Is 33-34, Titus July 23: But the Pharisees and 1 Sam 21, Is 45-46, Heb 3. have heard of Jesus. They knew
ashamed of Me, and my 1. lawyers rejected the counsel of Him as the Messiah. That’s why
words…with the holy angels. God for themselves, not having July 26: ‘Men and brethren, they called Him ‘Son of David.’
Mark 8:38. July 20: Precious in the sight of been baptized by him. Luke 7:30. what shall we do?’ Acts 2:37. But did they know Jesus will open
In Mark 8:31, the writer notes the Lord is the death of His saints. Some people think baptism by Have you ever thought how their blind eyes? That’s the
that Jesus predicted his death and Psalm 116:15. water is the teaching of a particular 3,000 people were baptized on the question, the Lord put to them.
resurrection. This was not a How often do we recognize that church or a denomination. No, it is Day of Pentecost? Apart from the And they answered in the
disclosure to His select disciples this verse should be said of us, too? God’s counsel. That’s what the obvious reason that God chose to affirmative. You probably know
but to all those who had assembled Grieving over the death of our passage we read today says. In move in His Spirit among the Jesus as Lord and Savior. But do
around Him – ‘He spoke this word loved ones is good. It makes us rejecting the baptism of John the people who had assembled to hear you trust Him to do a miracle in
openly.’ This public address of His overcome the jolt in our lives and Baptist, the Pharisees and lawyers the apostles speak in tongues, your life today? He is asking you:
death, Peter perhaps felt was move forward. If you have lost of that time rejected the counsel of there is yet another. After Peter’s ‘Do you believe that I am able to
unwarranted. Maybe, Peter also your loved one recently, God God. One of our Lord Jesus powerful sermon, the devout Jews do this?’ Bible reading: 1 Sam 26-
felt like a loser to follow someone wants you to remember that it Christ’s last words to His disciples of Jerusalem asked the right 27, Is 55-59, Heb 9-10.
who had come to the end of his life. happened with His knowledge. on earth had to do with baptism question: ‘Men and brethren, what
Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked The Bible says the very hairs of our (Mark 16:16). I don’t know what shall we do?’ Theirs was true July 30: ‘For even the Son of
Him. Jesus identified the force head are all numbered (Luke 12:7; church you belong to, what your repentance and they wanted to Man did not come to be served, but
behind this chastisement as the Matthew 10:30). He knows such pastor says about baptism by know how to move forward in to serve, and to give His life a
devil. It was in this background, fine details about us. If our loved water, the teaching of the Bible is their walk with God. What was ransom for many.’ Mark 10:45
that our Lord said those famous one had lived a life according to clear on the subject. In Acts 16:33 Peter’s response? Repent and be The KJV says the Son of Man
words about following Him. Why His Word, the Bible says, he/she is we read that the Philippian jailer baptized, Peter told them. Verse 41 came to ‘minister’. The word
do we follow Jesus? Is it because counted among God’s saints and and his family were baptized after says ‘then those who gladly simply means ‘to serve’. How
we feel it’s good to be a Christian – his/her death is precious in His they believed the Gospel that was received his word were baptized.’ many of our legislators know and
because of the nice church sight. Our Lord also wants us to preached to them. There was no When there is true obedience to appreciate the meaning of the
buildings we helped build, the remember His word in Isaiah 57:1: dilly-dallying over this. The jailer God’s Word, there will be miracles word – the post that they hold?
choir where our children sing and ‘the righteous is taken away from could have stuck to legalese and in our lives. We often see this From being public servants, they
the committee meetings that we evil.’ Hallelujah!Bible reading: 1 told Paul that he believed in Jesus incident as one sermon moving have come to be known as lords
preside over? Or is it because He Sam 16, Is 35-36, Titus 2. and hence there was no need for 3,000 people. There’s more to it presiding over their fiefdoms.
redeemed us from sin and has baptism. Instead, we see him and than meets the eye. The church Leave alone ministers, how many
eternity promised for us? Bible July 21: ‘He who believes and his family willingly obeying grew because the people chose to Christian workers, pastors, priests
reading: 1 Sam 13, Is 29-30, 2 is baptized will be saved; but he God’s command. Bible reading: 1 obey God’s Word. Will you obey and bishops appreciate this verse
Tim 2. who does not believe will be Sam 19, Is 41-42, Heb 1. His Word today? Bible reading: 1 in its fullness? It’s quite sad that
condemned.’ Mark 16:16. Sam 22, Is 47-48, Heb 4. many ministries have become self-
July 18: …Paul and Silas were One of Jesus Christ’s last words July 24: ‘He will tell you what serving rather than flock-tending.
praying and singing hymns to to His disciples dealt with baptism. you must do.’ Acts 10:6. July 27: Beloved, do not How can we regain our true
God…Acts 16:25. Baptism is not an afterthought of a In Acts 10, we read about believe every spirit, but test the calling? By looking up to Jesus,
The Bible does not say our few pastors. It is God’s command Cornelius. The Bible describes spirits, whether they are of God.’ 1 the ‘master-servant’, who forsake
troubles in the world will come to given through His Son Jesus Christ him as a devout man. He was a John 4:1. everything to save us! Bible
an end if we believe in Jesus while He was still on earth. There God-fearing man, he gave The Bible tells us that we ought reading: 1 Sam 28-29, Is 60-63,
Christ. Our Lord warned in John are those who say they believe in generous alms and prayed to God to test the spirits to know whether Heb 11-12.
16:33 that we will have tribulation Jesus and yet refuse to be baptized. always. What more, he was not they are of God. In Acts 8, we read
in the world. But the good news is They quote the example of the alone – his family feared God, too. of Simon the Sorcerer. He July 31: ‘For many are called,
Jesus has overcome the world. thief on the cross who went to be in One day, this centurion of astonished people around him but few are chosen.’ Matthew
That is good enough for us to be of paradise with Jesus Christ. But Caesarea received a vision. He with his sorceries for a long time. It 22:14.
good cheer. Paul and Silas were believers must remember that is a perceived it to be from God and is possible for Satan to perform Hell is described as a place of
beaten up and held by chains at rare event – the thief was hung asked Him to know what it was. miracles too. The magicians in outer darkness where there is
their feet in the prison. They did alongside Jesus, he spoke to Him He was told about Peter and where Egypt also performed miracles to weeping and gnashing of teeth in
not turn remorseful to God, instead and had an occasion to believe in to find him. ‘He will tell you what counter those God performed Matthew 22:13. It must be a place
they chose to glorify Him. Job Him. Note the sequence of words you must do,’ Cornelius was told through Moses. But eventually, fit for those rejected by the King.
35:10 says God our maker gives in the verse above. ‘He who by an angel in the vision. And, God won. How do we test the But why does the King reject those
songs in the night. The psalmist believes and is baptized will be when Cornelius met Peter what spirits? Simple. ‘Every spirit that He called for the wedding? He was
says in Psalm 42:8 ‘The Lord will saved.’ Baptism follows your faith did the latter tell him? ‘Can confesses that Jesus Christ has the One who called them in the
command His lovingkindness in in Jesus Christ. If you have been anyone forbid water, that these come in the flesh is of God.’ (verse first place. Now, why does He
the daytime, and in the night His postponing this important decision should not be baptized who have 3). Darkness has no fellowship reject them and choose only a few?
song shall be with me.’ God’s love in your life, may God Himself received the Holy Spirit just as we with light. Satan cannot profess Indeed, the King had invited the
for us does not change by daytime, speak to you through these words. have,’ Peter said. Later, Peter Jesus to be the Lord. Bible good and the bad. But in order for
noontime or night. There’s no Bible reading: 1 Sam 17, Is 37- commanded them (Cornelius, his reading: 1 Sam 23-24, Is 49-50, them to enjoy the proceedings,
reason why our love for Him 38, Titus 3. family and possibly a few others Heb 5-6. they must have the wedding
should. When Paul and Silas sang who had gathered to hear Peter garment – the sanctification of the
hymns to God, the prisoners July 22: ‘Unless one is born speak) to be baptized in the name July 28: ‘and what is the Holy Spirit. Those who lack it will
listened to them and a miracle soon again, he cannot see the kingdom of Lord Jesus Christ. Has God told exceeding greatness of his power not make it.
happened. Bible reading: 1 Sam of God.’ John 3: 3. you what you must do? Will you toward us who believe, according Holiness is an essential
14, Is 31-32, 2 Tim 3-4. One of my friends boasts of heed His words about baptism? to the working of His mighty character without which no one
being a ‘born Christian.’ It is a dig Bible reading: 1 Sam 20, Is 43- power.’ Ephesians 1: 19. will see God (Heb 12:14). To be
July 19: ‘Father, I desire that at those who claim to be born again 44, Heb 2. Who can claim to have fully among the chosen, we need to be
they also whom You gave Me may Christians. I come from a family understood the awesome power of holy for the Lord our God is holy.
be with Me where I am, that they that boasts of being traditionally July 25: ‘If you believe with all G o d ? N o b o d y. W h i l e t h e (1 Peter 1:15) Bible reading: 1
may behold My glory which You Christian. Some of my ancestors, it your heart, you may.’ Acts 8:37. unbelieving world may not believe Sam 30-31, Is 64-66, Heb 13.
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Christian businessmen must talk about Jesus in the marketplace: Gul Kripalani
BY PALLAVI myself. I am known as GK in my I didn’t exactly face any There is a challenge in the Bible.
BHATTACHARYA IN MUMBAI circles. So the company’s name opposition when I accepted Jesus It says only once, ‘Test God.’ In the
became Pijikay. My former partner as my personal savior. People, Book of Malachi, in The Old
I T took Gul Kripalani, a Sindhi is now no more.
businessman, a while to see the
hand of God behind a successful How has Pijikay grown over
however, did say: “You are a
Sindhi, how can you become a
Christian now?” People say that
Testament, Chapter 3, verses 11
and 12 it says, “Test God and see if
He’ll open the windows in heaven
seafood empire. When he realized the years? Sindhi and Christianity don’t go and fill up your storehouses with
that it was Jesus Christ who filled together. blessings which can’t be contained
his nets with fish, he stopped We have become market leaders As a matter of fact, I was in your storehouse.” I’ve taken
crowing about his own talents and in some products. Today, as excluded from a major Sindhi that as a firm promise of God.
marketing strategies that he seafood exporters, we are very event at the Raj Bhavan about 10 When you give to God as a
thought were behind the success of well respected. I was elevated to months ago because I’d become a cheerful giver he gives you back.
the business. His wife, Sheila, a the rank of the Vice President of Christian. If that’s the reason that He doesn’t need our money.
devout Protestant Christian t h e S e a F o o d E x p o r t e r s they have excluded me, I feel Do you think God bothers about
i n t r o d u c e d h i m t o J e s u s . Association of India sometime honored as the Bible says that if we the 50,000 rupees or one lakh that I
Thereafter, it did not take Gul, who ago. are persecuted because of Jesus’ can offer? After all He “owns
thought washing the feet of name, we should consider every cattle on the thousands
religious gurus would bring him You are involved in several ourselves fortunate, so I am okay hills.” But when we give Him
good luck, much time to realize social service organizations… that they excluded me. money, we are only showing Him
that the greatest of gurus is Lord our love. That’s when He
Jesus Christ. Despite being God in I think it is the duty of each and How do you manage so many appreciates our love and blesses
human form, Jesus washed the feet every one of us, whether we are in things together - business, social us.
of his disciples. Soon enough, Gul business or in service, to give work, administering
accepted Jesus as his Lord and something back to the society. educational institutes and Many Christian businessmen
Savior. He is now a fisher of men Whatever God has given to us working with the church? are clueless about how to tithe as
who spreads the good news in the doesn’t really belong to us. Out of a company. Should it be based
marketplace. his grace and mercy, He has given I don’t manage anything at all. on net profit or the total
In an interview with The us something. For instance, let’s In fact, I am a mis-manager. It’s turnover? Under what heads
Christian Messenger, Gul assume my salary is Rs.10,000 a Jesus who manages everything for should one tithe so they are also
Kripalani, managing director of month. I don’t think I could have me. in adherence to the taxation
Pijikay Group, president of the got that salary without the grace or rules and make it easy for the
Indian Merchants Chamber and mercy of God. Can one be a committed auditors?
President of the Federation of the If I have got this salary, it is my Christian and a successful
I n d o - I s r a e l i C h a m b e r o f duty to plough back something businessman at the same time, You need to tithe to your
Commerce and Culture, spoke on into the society to promote His especially when the Bible says storehouse. What is your
his walk with God and the ethics of work in the world; to look after the you cannot serve both God and storehouse? Your storehouse is
a C h r i s t i a n b u s i n e s s m a n . poor, needy, sick, children with the Mammon? where you draw your provisions
Excerpts: cancer and homeless poor people. from. You draw your daily
‘Christianity is not a provisions from your church and
This is what the entire world is You are not serving the
What inspired you to set up a talking about nowadays as religion. It’s about a Mammon if you are in business. your pastors. Ten percent must go
seafood business 35 years ago? Corporate Social Responsibility personal relationship You serve God and follow His to your church and pastor - that’s a
(CSR). But even before the term with God. If I am not in principles to serve the country as tithe.
I am a mechanical engineer by CSR came into existence, I was an honest Christian businessman. A tithe must be given on the
education. I was inspired to start involved in 1965 with the Jawans
the marketplace, how
can I talk about Jesus? If people like us don’t work, how gross profit. It says in the Bible
my seafood business by Peter Welfare Association. In the Indo- will we talk about Jesus in the that you should tithe from your
Harris from England who was into Pak war of 1965, I was moved by When I go to the income market place? Every opportunity I first fruits. What is the first fruit?
the same business too. Peter is no the condition of the soldiers and tax department, I talk get in the market place, I talk about The gross profit. Then the Bible
more. He passed away a few officers of armed forces. That’s about Jesus to the Jesus. My Rotary Club is the only says about offerings. Offerings are
months ago. h o w t h e J a w a n s We l f a r e one which has invited Gladys anything we give over and above
commissioner. When I
Association was born. We go to the Rotary Club I Staines, Ravi Zacharias and the 10 percent which we want to
What challenges did you face collected money by doing shows Ramesh Richards. give out of the cheerfulness of our
while setting up your business for them and gave it for their talk about Jesus. When I However, I don’t spread the heart. For instance, an offering
and how did you overcome welfare. sit in the Indian word about Jesus by talking about may go to help blind people and
them? Merchant’s Chamber, I religion. Rotary Clubs aren’t lepers. Jesus loved blind people
You come from a Sindhi talk about Jesus. But I supposed to talk about religion. and lepers.
When I got into the seafood Hindu background. I’ve read Christianity is not a religion. It’s One has to explain to the tax
industry, I had not known Jesus. So that as a Hindu you would don’t talk about Jesus people that we are Christians, and
about a personal relationship with
I didn’t give any glory to God at worship gurus and wash their without a reference.’ God. If I am not in the show them what God has
that time. I just thought the feet in devotion. How did you marketplace, how can I talk about commanded us to do.
business prospered because of my understand that Jesus is the can call myself worthy. Jesus? When I go to the income tax That’s how we can give them
efforts. I came to know Jesus in truth, the way and the life? About three or four generations department, I talk about Jesus to the Bible in the marketplace in the
1982. I got into the seafood ago my wife’s forefathers were the commissioner. When I go to name of Jesus. The Bible clearly
industry in 1972. I don’t remember I was introduced to Jesus by my Hindus. She told me about Jesus. the Rotary Club I talk about Jesus. states about the FLAW (F:
giving any glory to God at all at wife Sheila and I was touched by When I was reading the book of When I sit in the Indian fatherless, L: Levites, A: aliens,
that time. this one guru who washed the feet John, I was touched by the fact that Merchant’s Chamber, I talk about W: widows). These are the four
However, after I got to know of His disciples. I had grown up God had come down to earth in the Jesus. But I don’t talk about Jesus sectors which the Old Testament
God, I have become a more ethical washing the feet of my gurus. Then form of a human being in the form without a reference. In my has repeatedly told us that we need
businessman. Being a Christian I was introduced to this guru, who of Jesus lived through similar Seafood Exporters Association, to support. By Levites, we mean a
has helped me to become a better was so humble that He came down challenges as we do and had died the Indo-Canadian Business priest. An alien is just anybody.
employer. I hope that, gradually, I to earth to save each and every one for us. I’ve been baptized in a Chamber and the Israeli Business
will become a better husband and a of us and died on the cross for us Protestant church in Montreal in of Commerce, they know that I’m Another area of concern for
better father. irrespective of the fact whether we Canada. a believer in Jesus. most Christian businesses is the
were Hindus, Muslims, Christians When I retire from my business So one is not serving the fact that they have to grease
What were you doing before or Sikhs! I’d like my company Pijikay to Mammon or money for that matter palms to get things done at
you got into business? I was overwhelmed by Him than promote God’s Kingdom fulltime. by being in the marketplace. It’s a various levels with the
by any other guru I had ever However, my mission will not be must for a Christian businessman government. What’s your take
After graduation in 1965, I known. He didn’t come here to to convert people. Conversion to be able to talk about Jesus in the on that?
worked with Bradys. In 1967, I create a religion. He came here to isn’t a part of what Jesus has marketplace.
joined the TATA group. Three create a direct relationship taught us. I can’t convert anyone. I No way. When you talk to the
years later, I shifted to London. between God and man. When He can only talk to people about what What’s the key to success as a authorities keep in mind that Jesus
Two years later, I came back to was crucified on the cross, the brought about a change in my life. Christian businessman? is sitting next to you. Don’t bribe
India to start my own business. curtain of the temple tore open Conversion is a wrong word. as it’s a sin. Just try saying no to
signifying a direct relationship There has been a change in my Jesus Christ is the key to bribes. Neither be a giver nor a
What’s behind your company between God and man. And that’s mindset that I can now trust in a success. receiver of bribes. God is just
name Pijikay? the guru who washed the feet of Living God. testing you by sending you a
His disciples before He was W h a t h a v e b e e n y o u r corrupt person who wants a bribe.
My business was at one time a crucified. I was touched by His How did the Sindhi Hindu experiences of financial blessing We can succeed in accomplishing
partnership between two people: P example. I am not worthy but I can c o m m u n i t y re a c t t o y o u that come from tithing and our task without ever having to
G Rao (who was called PG) and only say that through His blood, I accepting Jesus as your savior? being a ‘cheerful giver’? bribe.

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